BILL NUMBER: SJR 3	CHAPTERED  07/08/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   56
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JULY 8, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 30, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   APRIL 8, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Burton and Chesbro
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Mazzoni, Strom-Martin, and Wiggins)

                        JANUARY 26, 1999

   Senate Joint Resolution No. 3--Relative to the U.S. Coast Guard
Training Facility (TRACEN) Petaluma.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SJR 3, Burton.  U.S. Coast Guard.
   This measure would memorialize the President and the Congress of
the United States, and the United States Coast Guard to continue the
operation of the United States Coast Guard Training Facility (TRACEN)
Petaluma.




   WHEREAS, The United States Coast Guard is presently assessing its
training structure for cost-effectiveness and is considering
consolidating or closing one or two of its five training centers
including the United States Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN)
Petaluma in the rural community of Two Rock, California; and
   WHEREAS, TRACEN Petaluma is the only Coast Guard training facility
on the west coast, while the Coast Guard maintains four other
training centers on the eastern seaboard; and
   WHEREAS, In the case of a prolonged national emergency, a Coast
Guard training facility on the west coast has both logistic and
strategic value to the service's two-ocean mission and to national
security; and
   WHEREAS, The mild California coastal climate makes it possible for
TRACEN Petaluma to conduct outdoor exercises year round; and
   WHEREAS, The Coast Guard has invested more than $50 million in
TRACEN Petaluma since its inception, including $29 million to
construct a state-of-the-art electronics and telecommunications
training facility; and
   WHEREAS, The rural community of Two Rock is dependent on TRACEN
Petaluma for the continued existence of its neighborhood school and
for fire and emergency services; and
   WHEREAS, TRACEN Petaluma contributes $24.9 million annually to the
North Bay economy in an area that has been severely impacted by
military base closures; and
   WHEREAS, The closings of veterans hospitals in California have
increased the dependence of retired military on the health services
available at the TRACEN Petaluma medical facility; and
   WHEREAS, TRACEN Petaluma also houses essential non-Coast Guard
training activities for police, fire, and emergency personnel and
rangers employed by local, state, and federal agencies operating
throughout the region; and
   WHEREAS, These entities have no other place to continue their
training activities in the near future; and
   WHEREAS, TRACEN Petaluma has a tradition of excellence recognized
by the Coast Guard, a well-earned reputation for community
involvement, and a legacy of environmental stewardship;
   Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of California,
jointly, That the Legislature believes the continued operation of the
United States Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Petaluma is
beneficial to the critical public safety and national security
mission of the United States Coast Guard, and to the people and
economy of California; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature respectfully memorializes the
President and the Congress of the United States, and the United
States Coast Guard to continue the operation of the United States
Coast Guard Training Facility (TRACEN) Petaluma through increased
utilization of its facilities and more efficient use of the Coast
Guard's east coast facilities; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States,
to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and each Senator and
Representative from California in the Congress of the United States,
and to the United States Coast Guard.
